I am certain I have tms and believe that mind body work will heal my excruciating knee pain. Every time I journal the pain gets really bad. I work for a primary school and will be on summer break in a month. It is really hard to work like this but I keep thinking if I can just hold out until school is over, I will have so much time to devote to doing the work with the luxury of having no place to be. I would love to dive right in now but a few stressors have caused my pain to elevate to its highest level yet. It is very difficult to walk and because it causes a limp, everyone at work has been asking if I'm okay and wondering what is wrong. Does anyone have suggestions of things I can do to lessen the pain or make it more bearable for another month or should I just forge ahead and do the journaling? I guess I'm wondering if others have had this experience of worsening pain with journaling and if so, how long did it go on before you could journal without having a flair?
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Worsening of symptoms with journaling
- Thread starter ziggy67
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- journaling symptoms
JaneSandyJane
Peer Supporter
Hi Ziggy, I hope you feel better soon. I wasn't able to heal fully just from the journaling -- but something that helped tremendously was to use the journaling to identify the topics I needed to do a deeper dive on. Then I used REBT psychology techniques to really heal on those upsetting topics. Have you read Dr. Albert Ellis's work to learn how to do this? I'm completely well now (100%) and I had been sick for DECADES. I hope you find full healing!!
Diana-M
Beloved Grand Eagle
Hi Ziggy,
The journaling is definitely going to dig up a lot of emotions and probably make symptoms worse. I guess if I were in your shoes, I would just wait until you have time off to do the journaling.
Thank you, Jane. I have never heard of this but will look into it. One of the biggest hurdles I have is that there are no PRT practitioners in my area (potentially covered by insurance) and I can't afford to pay out of pocket to see someone virtually. Did you use REBT psychology on your own or with the help of a therapist?
Thanks for your input, Diana. I sure can't wait for break!!
Ellen
Beloved Grand Eagle
This is my recommendation regarding doing TMS work. Pick a program, set up a daily practice, but limit the time you spend on it daily (say an hour or so). Then go about your life and don't keep checking on your TMS. "Is it better or worse today? What about now? Am I making progress yet?" TMS work is about developing a whole new way of being. It takes time and commitment. Progress doesn't happen in a straight trajectory. Don't replace a focus on your body/symptoms with a focus on TMS work. It's all the same unhealthy obsession. There is a whole world out there to cultivate and enjoy. Find healthy distractions that you enjoy.
And one day you'll notice that your symptoms are gone. And when you try to figure out when they left, you won't be able to because you were too busy living your life to notice.
And one day you'll notice that your symptoms are gone. And when you try to figure out when they left, you won't be able to because you were too busy living your life to notice.
JanAtheCPA
Beloved Grand Eagle
I'm going to go with @Ellen here.
Here's the blunt truth: putting off doing any of the work until you "have time" is actually a devious trick of your fearful TMS brain. In our observations and personal experiences, your TMS brain will find some other excuse to put off the work when your schedule opens up. (I know what I'm talking about
) This goes hand in hand with the other completely false belief we see all the time, which is that you can't do the program unless you do it "perfectly".
Sandy has this suggestion for doing something even when time is short:
Whether you keep these lists is up to you. You can highlight the items that need to be addressed in more depth, or transcribe those somewhere else (like a secure text file) to retrieve later (and if any of them are embarrassing or too sensitive, you can transcribe them discreetly so only you know what they refer to).
Does this make sense?
Bottom line: do not wait to start doing something. Even baby steps will make a difference.
Here's the blunt truth: putting off doing any of the work until you "have time" is actually a devious trick of your fearful TMS brain. In our observations and personal experiences, your TMS brain will find some other excuse to put off the work when your schedule opens up. (I know what I'm talking about
) This goes hand in hand with the other completely false belief we see all the time, which is that you can't do the program unless you do it "perfectly".Sandy has this suggestion for doing something even when time is short:
The SEP uses lists extensively, as a way to identify important emotional topics for examination during the lessons. You'll be getting to them later. But even outside of our program, there have been research studies which show that anyone can significantly reduce anxiety if all you do is take a few minutes at the end of every day to do a "brain dump" on paper, in the form of a list of all the random things that are on your mind. Don't skip anything that pops into your head, no matter how random or weird or embarrassing it is. Especially do not skip anything that makes you uncomfortable. The power of your repressed emotions can be hidden under seemingly inconsequential thoughts. Just write it all down. THEN, end your list with one thing, no matter how small, that you appreciated about your day, or about yourself. Or one of each
Whether you keep these lists is up to you. You can highlight the items that need to be addressed in more depth, or transcribe those somewhere else (like a secure text file) to retrieve later (and if any of them are embarrassing or too sensitive, you can transcribe them discreetly so only you know what they refer to).
Does this make sense?
Bottom line: do not wait to start doing something. Even baby steps will make a difference.
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JaneSandyJane
Peer Supporter
Hi Ziggy,
What is PRT? I found my therapist on the TMS listing, yes. I wouldn't have been able to apply the REBT techniques as rigorously on my own and this was a major part of my full healing. I can't say enough about my wonderful experience and success. Good luck!!!
feduccini
Beloved Grand Eagle
There are many reasons for TMS symptoms. One of those is that your nervous system is seeking homeostasis, and when it feels safe, it starts letting out the repressed energy that has been stuck for years in your body. It sucks but believe me, pain during journaling is a very good sign.